changing the needle frequently

[lpman_t]

Hi, As you know well the needles for Ortofon's OM and Concorde designs match eachother to get different performances using the same cartridge.For ex. you can use a Dj. needle and set the tracking force at 3gr. for less demanding performance ,a mono stylus for mono recordings or  a Super OM (10/20/30) to get the best of the cartridge for precious listening.One thing that makes me wonder is ,will there be a problem to change the stylus unit so often,twice or thrice a day sometimes.Or should I change the headshells instead of changing the stylus ,but this time I begin to wonder about the tonearm of the Technics1210 ??? I would keep using the same needle if there were not a dramatical change in sound ,especially for mono recordings. So which is safer ...keeping the same cartridge on the tonearm and changing the needles so often (not more than 2-3 times a day)or changing the whole headshell unit? Any experiences ,ideas all wellcome Regards, lpman_t

[sleepy]

I would change the needle.Just be careful not to yank the arm round too much as you could damage the bearings.

[euclid]

If all the needles are compatible with the cartridge body, I would carefully change the needle. I would buy the highest quality cartrige and stylus together  and then purchase the other stylii. Some manufacturers may select the best of a given body style for the top of the line cartridges and sell the not so perfect ones with the lower sound quality cartridges. I have seen the pins that retain the headshell in the arm wear so much from frequent head shell changes that I had to replace the headshell. You may eventually wear out something on the arm also. To change out the whole headshell also requires you to buy three complete cartriges. The one advantage of swapping the headshell is that you can set up the arm on the cartrige that requires the greatest amout of counter balance. (lowest tracking force if all the headshell assemblies are the same weight). Then add weight to the other headshells to get the right tracking force for them. Theis eliminates the need to readjust the balance or tracking force. Of course you still need to tweak the bias (antiskating).

[lpman_t]

Thanks sleepy and euclid.I think ,just as you mentioned,it would be better to change the stylus unit keeping the cartridge -headshell combo on the tonearm to avoid any harm or damage to the tonearm. keeping the same cartridge body on the arm will not require any more tonearm height adjustment which I had to do while using the different cartridges.This will save time and protect the tonearm against unnecessary wear. I think I will have to be very careful when changing the needle of the cartridge that is mounted on the tonearm . BTW,yes euclid ,I have three different complete ortofon cartridges ,OM D 25 M (mono-spherical stylus),Super OM 30(fine line ) and Concorde Gold (special elliptical) regards, lpman_t